Abstract: A thermoelectric conversion module includes a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements formed on a first main surface of an inner tube, and a plurality of projections formed on a second main surface of an outer tube. The thermoelectric conversion element includes an interconnection, and an electrode formed at a first distance from the second main surface in a second direction. When the thermoelectric conversion module is seen from a first direction, the projections include a first projection and a second projection formed at a spacing therebetween in a third direction. A shortest distance between a first lateral surface and a top portion of the first projection and a shortest distance between a second lateral surface and a top portion of the second projection are smaller than the first distance.

Abstract: A thermoelectric device is provided that includes a duct through which a first fluid can flow. The duct has first walls and side walls which connect the first walls. At least one first wall is in thermal contact with a thermoelectric module which has a housing with at least two opposite second walls. A plurality of thermoelectric elements is arranged between the second walls. The thermoelectric elements have opposite surfaces, each of which is in thermal contact with one of the second walls of the housing of the thermoelectric module.

Abstract: A heat flow sensor for a heat flux differential scanning calorimeter comprising twin thermopiles. The thermopiles each comprise positive and negative thermocouple alloys and electrically insulating ceramic components. Diffusion bonding is used to form thermocouple junctions in the thermopiles between the positive and negative thermocouple elements, and to attach the thermocouple elements to the ceramic components.

Abstract: A disclosed chemical detection system for detecting a target material, such as an explosive material, can include a cantilevered probe, a probe heater coupled to the cantilevered probe, and a piezoelectric element disposed on the cantilevered probe. The piezoelectric element can be configured as a detector and/or an actuator. Detection can include, for example, detecting a movement of the cantilevered probe or a property of the cantilevered probe. The movement or a change in the property of the cantilevered probe can occur, for example, by adsorption of the target material, desorption of the target material, reaction of the target material and/or phase change of the target material. Examples of detectable movements and properties include temperature shifts, impedance shifts, and resonant frequency shifts of the cantilevered probe. The overall chemical detection system can be incorporated, for example, into a handheld explosive material detection system.

Abstract: A system for thermal analysis, including a sample crucible on a sample side and a reference crucible on a reference side in a measurement chamber, where the sample cup and the reference cup are each provided with a Peltier system for adjusting the temperature and/or for detecting the temperature.

Abstract: A thermal conductivity detector comprises a housing having an internal cavity, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a first bore and a second bore. The thermal conductivity detector further comprises a thermistor having a first electrical lead and a second electrical lead, a first contact pin in electrical communication with said first electrical lead and a second contact pin in electrical communication with said second electrical lead. The first contact pin is oriented within the first bore, the second contact pin is oriented within the second bore and the thermistor is suspended within the gas analysis chamber.

Abstract: In a thermoanalytical sensor with a substrate and a thermocouple arrangement that is formed at a measurement position on the substrate, an increase in sensitivity can be achieved by way of a special geometry of the thermocouple arrangement and/or the selection of the material for the substrate. In addition, a manufacturing method is proposed for the inventive sensor.

Abstract: A device and method for investigating phase transformation properties and structural changes of materials. In one form, the device simulates actual thermal processing conditions, while the method can be used in both simulations as well as in actual processing conditions. An analysis using at least one of the device and method is referred to as a single sensor differential thermal analysis, as it compares the temperature recorded in a measured specimen against a reference thermal history without requiring the derivation of the reference thermal history from measured reference temperatures.

Abstract: A sensor for a heat flux differential scanning calorimeter in which the differential temperatures are measured between locations external to the regions of heat exchange between the sensor and sample containers. The measured differential temperatures respond to the magnitude of the heat flow rate between the sensor and the sample and reference containers and are rendered insensitive to variations in the magnitude and distribution of thermal contact resistance between the sensor and the containers.

Abstract: A thermal conductivity detector comprises a housing having an internal cavity, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a first bore and a second bore. The thermal conductivity detector further comprises a thermistor having a first electrical lead and a second electrical lead, a first contact pin in electrical communication with said first electrical lead and a second contact pin in electrical communication with said second electrical lead. The first contact pin is oriented within the first bore, the second contact pin is oriented within the second bore and the thermistor is suspended within the gas analysis chamber.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sensor is provided. The method includes disposing a sacrificial layer on a substrate, disposing a low-thermal-conductivity layer on the sacrificial layer, and disposing a first set of conductive arms and a second set of conductive arms on the low-thermal-conductivity layer to form a plurality of thermal junctions. The plurality of thermal junctions is adapted to form a plurality of hot junctions and a plurality of cold junctions when subjected to a difference in temperature. The method also includes removing the sacrificial layer and a portion of the low-thermal-conductivity layer to form a cavity therein. The cavity is configured to provide insulation for the plurality of hot junctions. A thermopile sensor is also provided, and a calorimetric gas sensor implementing the thermopile sensor is provided.

Abstract: In a thermoanalytical sensor with a substrate and a thermocouple arrangement that is formed at a measurement position on the substrate, an increase in sensitivity can be achieved by way of a special geometry of the thermocouple arrangement and/or the selection of the material for the substrate. In addition, a manufacturing method is proposed for the inventive sensor.

Abstract: A sample holder for differential thermal analysis has a substrate with a planar surface provided with a sample position for a sample material and a reference position for reference material. The substrate allows heat flow between a heat source thermally coupled to the sample holder and the sample and reference positions. A first thermoelement arrangement in the area of the sample and reference positions is provided for supplying a thermoelectric signal corresponding to a differential between the temperatures at the sample and reference positions. First connectors are formed on the substrate for tapping the thermoelectric signal corresponding to the temperature differential. A second thermoelement arrangement provides a thermoelectric signal corresponding to an absolute temperature of the sample and reference positions. Second connectors are provided on the substrate for tapping the thermoelectric signal corresponding to the absolute temperature.

Abstract: A number of compact, high-efficiency and high-power density thermoelectric systems utilizing the advantages of thermal isolation are described. Such configurations exhibit high system efficiency and power density. Some configurations exhibit a substantial reduction in the amount of thermoelectric material required.

Abstract: An insulating substrate provided with two types of metallic or alloy circuit patterns for detecting temperature difference between a sample side and a reference side, and also a metallic resistance circuit pattern, is fixed to a heat sink, and the heat sink is temperature controlled. If a temperature difference between the sample and the reference is detected, electrical power supplied to a compensation heater using metallic resistors is adjusted by a differential heat compensation circuit so that the temperature difference is immediately returned to zero, and a difference in supplied power is output as a differential heat flow.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, devices for and methods for performing thermal signature assays on a two or more samples in an array, using active/control base thermopiles, the method comprising: [a] performing a heat transfer to the two or more samples in each of a two or more containers, using at least one base thermopile in thermal communication with the two or more containers; and [b] determining a total heat transferred to the samples by the base thermopile in step [a]; and [c] sensing in real time a temperature difference between a first sample and a second sample of the two or more samples resulting from performing step [a].

Abstract: A device for thermal sensing is disclosed based on only one thermopile. The cold junctions of said thermopile are coupled thermally to a first channel comprising a first substance while the hot junctions of said thermopile are coupled thermally to a second channel comprising a second substance, said first and said second channel are separated and thermally isolated one from another. Said device can further comprise a membrane to thermally and electrically isolate said thermopile and to mechanically support said thermopile. Particularly a liquid rubber, i.e. ELASTOSIL LR3003/10A, B can be used as a membrane material. Further disclosed is a method for fabricating such a device using micromachining techniques.

Abstract: A sensor having an active sensing material exposed to the substance to be detected and an active reference material that is shielded from the substance to be detected. Thermocouples having a set of junctions proximate to the active sensing material and another set of junctions to the active reference material for measuring the temperatures at the respective materials. The junctions are connected differentially in that a difference of the two temperatures is measured. A heater is proximate and common to the two materials. Heat pulses may be applied to the materials via the heater and the temperatures are measured. If ambient factors or substances affect the active sensing material, its thermal response will be different than that of the active reference material, and a differential pulse-like indication of temperature will be detected.

Abstract: A pyrometer for measuring thermal radiation and emissivity for both diffusely and specularly reflecting surfaces of an object which includes, a thermal radiation detector and an optical system connected to the detector for concentrating thermal radiation originating from an object surface area on the detector, an emissivity meter connected to the optical system, the meter further comprising a radiation source supplying measuring radiation and a measuring radiation detector, an optical integrator adjacent to the object surface area arranged in the radiation path of the measuring radiation between the radiation source and the measuring radiation detector, wherein the radiation source extends through an aperture of the optical integrator and diffusely irradiates the object surface, and a shield connected to the optical integrator for preventing measuring radiation from irradiating the object surface area directly, is described.

Abstract: An ultrasonic fire detector comprises an elongate ultrasonic waveguide, e.g. in the form of a wire, which is arranged to be strung around the area to be monitored for fire. An ultrasonic pulse generator launches longitudinal ultrasonic pulses into one end of the waveguide, for reflection from the far end. The waveguide is arranged such that local heating due to a fire changes its acoustic impedance at the location of the local heating, the change in acoustic impedance being sufficient to produce partial reflection of the ultrasonic pulses. Detection of the partially reflected pulses thus indicates the presence of a fire, and their time of arrival gives the location of the fire along the waveguide. The acoustic impedance change can be produced by providing the waveguide with notches filled with low melting-point alloy, by applying a temperature-induced stress to the waveguide, or simply by the temperature gradient caused by the fire.

Abstract: A calorimetric differential thermal analyzer uses a planar thermoelectric sheet as its major heat flow path for transferring heat from a heat source to both the reference and sample positions. The heat source is connected to each of the positions by equivalent thermal paths formed by the sheet itself. These paths to each test position are made thermally equivalent by making them geometrically similar and forming isothermal boundaries on the sheet itself between each of the test positions. These isothermal boundaries are connected to the heat source and formed of a material having a high thermal conductance.The thermal equivalency of the paths may be enhanced by removing portions of the sheetlike material to form well defined patterns of heat flow in the sheet; e.g., structures in which the sheet is formed into radial arms in a wheel-like array with each test position being on a different spoke of the wheel.